Have you ever been given a job that you thought was more than you could do? Someone said to you, “We have a job that needs done, and we need you to do it.” When you heard those words you quaked and thought there is no way I can do that. I don’t know how. I have never done anything like that before.
In a very real sense, the Lord Jesus Christ has left us as individuals and this church, in our particular corner of His vineyard, with a job to do that is in all honesty greater than us.
We have more to do with this task than we can do. I ask you to give me a few moments to thoughtfully consider with me “the great work to be done.” But take heart, we are not the only ones whom God has given a job that is bigger than they were.
GOD’S WORK IS GREATER THAN ANY MAN.
EXODUS 3:7-11, 4:1, 10; JEREMIAH 1:4-8
(2 Samuel 7:18) “Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?”
We have that declaration made by two of the greatest figures, outside of Jesus Christ, in all the word of God. Once by Moses and five times David words a prayer to God asking Him, “who am I.” David knew the work his God gave him was bigger than he was.
Jeremiah saw himself totally inadequate for the ministry as a prophet. Jeremiah 1:6 “Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.”
It is the man that sees himself as nothing in himself that God can use to do something for Him. It is the individual that believes he is adequate in himself for whatever that is the most dangerous. That person will seek to accomplish God’s work in man’s strength.
GOD’S WORK IS GREATER THAN A PEOPLE. Numbers 13:26-33
The twelve spies have just returned form their reconnaissance mission into the land of Canaan. They bring back the report of what a wonderful land it is. It is indeed a land of milk and honey. But, there was also the “evil report” of the ten that though it was a wonderful land, there is no way that they could ever take and possess it.
How could this nation of slaves ever believe they could conquer the great walled cities and peoples that lived there? “We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.”
Their declaration was “We saw the giants.” IN John 20:19 THE FOLLOWERS OF THE LORD JESUS FOUND THEMSELVES FEELING THE SAME WAY.
Here we find the disciples overwhelmed with what has happened to their beloved leader. And they fear for their own lives. They find themselves huddled in fear behind locked doors.
God has a great work for his people. It is a work that is greater than a single man, it is a work that is greater than any particular people.
WE CAN LOOK AT THE TASK AND DESPAIR. WE CAN THROW UP OUR HANDS AND SAY NO, I CAN’T DO IT. WE ARE NOT ABLE. YOU CAN DO THAT AND FRANKLY, YOU WOULD BE RIGHT, IT IS BIGGER THAN YOU. OR WE CAN SEE THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, THE PRIVILEGE TO BE INVOLVED IN SOMETHING THAT IS BIGGER THAN US.
WE ARE CALLED TO A WORK, A TASK, A CAUSE THAT IS BIGGER, THAT IS GREATER THAN ANY INDIVIDUAL. FOLKS THIS WORK IS BIGGER ANY CHURCH. BUT DEAR FRIENDS, IT IS A WORK THAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO US.
WE MUST REMEMBER AND I DO NOT WANT TO SOUND TRITE.
GOD’S WORK IS NOT GREATER THAN GOD.
Jeremiah would later declare as God’s mouthpiece: (Jeremiah 32:27) “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”
HE IS A GOD WHO ANOINTS A MAN FOR THE WORK.
If God gives a man a task He will equip that man for the task. Exodus 3:12, Jeremiah 1:7-9.
What do we need to do? Just obey God and put ourselves in place where He can use us. Whether it be a preaching ministry, or a teaching ministry, or in whatever capacity within the church.
(Romans 12:6-8) “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
God had given Moses a vision. He gave Moses His word on what He was going to do. God had stirred the heart of His man to do a great work. Moses might have been hesitant in the beginning but the presence of God along the way encouraged, and strengthened his heart.
HE IS A GOD WHO ANOINTS HIS PEOPLE FOR THE WORK. Joshua 5:13-6:5
The Israelites have just crossed the Jordan River they are now in the land. They have made the commitment to cross over into the territory God had deeded to them. Joshua is up late, probably wondering what the days ahead will bring. The Lord comes and appears to Joshua.
Joshua sees this Man with His sword drawn, He appears ready for battle. In reality if we were able to see beyond the veil into the spiritual realm we would find that as far as God is concerned the battle had already been fought and the Victor, fresh from the battle, was standing in front of Joshua.
Joshua asks this man, “Are you for us, or against us?”
THE LORD’S ANSWER IS TREMENDOUS, ALLOW ME TO PARAPHRASE? “I HAVE NOT COME TO TAKE SIDES, I HAVE COME TO TAKE OVER.”
Beloved, I am a simple, simple man. I believe the Bible with all my heart. The Bible says, if God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). You cannot lose if God is in charge
THE GREAT WORK GOD HAS GIVEN TO US. Matthew 16:13-18
a. THE QUESTION. Vs. 13.
b. THE WORLD’S ASSUMPTIONS. Vs. 14.
c. THE QUESTION TO ME. VS. 15 d. THE ANSWER. VS. 16.
e. THE TASK. VS. 17 – 18.
The Lord Jesus Christ is still in charge of the battle. He is still the “Captain of the Host.”
HE IS A GOD WHO WILL ACCOMPLISH WHAT HE ORDERS.
LET ME ASK YOU: DID GOD MAKE GOOD ON HIS PROMISE TO DELIVER ISRAEL FROM EGYPTIAN BONDAGE? YES! DID GOD MAKE GOOD ON HIS PROMISE TO GIVE ISRAEL THE LAND OF CANAAN? YES!
DID GOD MAKE GOOD ON HIS PROMISE THAT A VIRGIN WOULD CONCEIVE AND BRING FORTH A SON? YES? DID GOD MAKE GOOD ON HIS PROMISE TO PROVIDE SALVATION FOR SINFUL MEN? Absolutely! Bless His holy Name!
THE WORK OF OUR GREAT GOD.
Do we have a work to do? Does God have a job for us? Is there a task to be accomplished?
YES! YES! YES! We have been intrusted with a task. We have been given a ministry, a service to be done. We have been delivered a charge to be FAITHFULLY CARRIED OUT. Paul declared: 1 Corinthians 9:17 “a dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto me.”
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, “THE CAPTAIN OF THE HOST,” HAS GIVEN US OUR ORDERS – AND THE MESSAGE IS NOT CONFUSING. WE ARE TO “GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.”
We are instructed as His servants, (Luke 19:13) “occupy till I come.”
CONCLUSION: The work before us is greater than any individual. It is greater than this church.
REMEMBER, THE WORK MIGHT BE TOO BIG FOR US BUT IT IS NOT TO BIG FOR GOD.
We have the amazing privilege to be involved in this thing. We are part of a great work. I never cease to be amazed that God lets me be part of what He is doing.
The Lord Jesus came to deliver His people from their bondage. And as He did with Moses of old, He has seen fit today to use human instruments to work through. Would we be of those who like the ten spies, who drew back from the task, “we are not able.”Or would we be like the believing Caleb and Joshua, who in faith, declared if God be pleased to bless us we can do the job? “Let us go up at once and possess it.” (Numbers 13:30)
Friend, where are you at in all this? Are you on the outside looking in? Do you know God? The question is not, do you know something about God. Nor is the question simply, do you believe that there is a God. The question is, do you know God? Do you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you sought His forgiveness for your sin?
